Pneumatic boxing helmet



Jan. 5, 1954 J, W, NlCHOLS 2,664,567

PNEUMATIC BOXING HELMET Filed Dec. 29, 1950 Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE PNEUMATIC BOXING HELMET John W. Nichols, San Diego,Calif. Application December 29, 1950, Serial No. 203,421

13 Claims.

This invention relates to protective helmets for boxers.

One object of the invention is to provide a helmet which may beadvantageously used in boxing contests, and also in training, to protectthe boxers head from serious injuries, its training usage beingespecially intended for application in preparing recruits in the armedservices in the art of personal defense.

In boxing in the ring, and also in training armed service recruits inboxing, many very serious injuries have been encountered which haveresulted in permanent damage to the head and in some instances in death.

As a consequence, it is one important object of this invention toprevent serious injuries of the nature indicated.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to prevent injuriesto the eyes, such as cuts over the eyes that have resulted eventually inblindness. Another object is to prevent skull fractures, as when thehead cornes in violent contact with the floor in a knockdown. Similarly,itis an object to prevent concussions and other brain injuries, such ashave been the result of devastating head punishments often incurred byparticipants in boxing contests. A further object is to preventdisiigurement of the ears and nose so well known in the case ofprofessional boxers and heretofore long considered the badge of theprofession. Avoidance of ruptured ear drums and kindred hearingimpairment or complete deafness is another object of the invention. Evenapart from these latter objects, the present invention possessesimportant value merely from the standpoint of preventing deaths andbrain injuries.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a helmetstructure for boxers and for other sports contestants and for similaruses, which, considering the value of the device for protecting thehead, is comparatively easy to construct, assemble, and use.

u It is another object of the invention to providea Ahelmet constructionadaptable to the employment of pneumatic means as the most satisfactorymethod of cushioning against the impact of blows struck by another boxeror suffered by the head striking the floor when the wearer is knockeddown.

Other objects of the invention, and the various features of constructionthereof, will become apparent to those familiar with the boxing art andto those skilled in helmet manufacture, especially upon reference to thefollowing specication and the accompanying drawing wherein oneembodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is principally a side view of a boxers helmet constructed inaccordance with this invention, a portion of the head member beingbroken away to illustrate the internal construction, and the locationupon a wearers head and about his face being indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the helmet of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a median vertical section from front to back, the showingbeing on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken on theline 4-4 of Fig. 1, to illustrate a possible structural feature at theear openings. whereby to provide for the installation or removal of apneumatic envelope which constitutes an important element of the helmet;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail indicating a construction and location ofthe pneumatic envelope;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional detail of a possible form of constructionemployed adjacent the nose;`

and

Fig. 7 indicates employment of a plurality of pneumatic envelopes ratherthan a single envelope.

The form of invention illustrated in the drawing comprises an uppermember or head member I0 adapted to enclose the forehead, top, back andsides of the wearers skull, and a nose mem-.

ber I2 which extends forward from the sides of the head member to coverall of the lower portion of the wearers nose and preferably extendsabout one-half inch below the wearers nostrils to make a strongerpneumatic bridge. The forward portions of the head member and the nosemember are separated by a comparatively narrow, transverse visionopening I4, provided between a sloping yunder face I5 of the head memberand a sloping upper face I6 of the nose member. These sloping faces I5and I6 diverge outwardly from positions slightly above and below theeyes so that adequate vision both upward and downward is assured, asindicated by the dotted lines at the left of Fig. 1.

In practice the head member I0 and the nose member I2 are constructed asa single unit separated by the vision opening I4. These members of thehelmet are produced from a strong, durable, outer covering 20appropriately connected to a strong inner lining 22. Between the outercovering 20 and the lining 22 is disposed a sealed or air-tight,inflatable pneumatic envelope 24.

The outer covering may be formed from an adequately heavy leather suchas three-ounce calf-belly leather, being made up in segments with weltedseams 25 approximately as indicated. At the inner edges of the opposingsloping walls ii I5 and I6 at the sides of the vision opening I4, andpreferably just within that opening I4, the adjacent edge of the lining22 is suitably secured to the inner. edge oi lthe outer covering 2g, asby cemeri'tingr in overlapping relation asnsho'wn; io Since it isnecessary that the pneumatic envelope 24 be installed within the chamberprovided be- Y tween the covering and the lining c22,thewlovver liningedge at the bottom opening 2e, which extends across from the under sideof the nose. f to the base of the skull, is detachably yc'oni'ec'ted tothe adjacent lower edge portion 'f theuter covering 20, as by lacing 21as shown. Since it is desirable to provide a small Ventilating 'open ing28 at the top ofvtheheadmember ID, as well esy sin" 1 hearingepeiiihgsnze 'opposite- 'the ears, the adjacent ledges or tine outer'ov'ering 2B and the lining 22 are similarly detach A coniieted e:sj1e"y'4iaeiiigs et ,arie si respeeiiv'eiy. envelope "ze, 'which is er ree ei-I termed' ci `euter and.

Aor similar Walls 315i Y jiereiif een'n e 'or ceinentingy, or othe're odin -he art. In 'order to v indicated '30 g partition meinbersji aresecured rig wallsfand i. Y These partitions "n, be 'orrri'e'i integrailywith one 2.4, @Tessin te the ci meer esimiieii es it is 'desiree veellapse 'Somewhat more than e i by "there nipressior'i oi air underpressure con'- t ed 'e iii; sf ail bieeder ports pro'- vi'ded in tliepartitions Sii', so thatceils adjacent the point of irripactmaygradually bleed out their air to fdjent cells, whereby to provideuaddhtional'cushioning. Appropriate air pressi-ire `is s'uvi' V'fo fthe'pneumatic Verivei'opfe 24, in am si'table 'iin'ieig suehV as lthroughany -conv'eiitional type of valve al@ (Fig. 1). such as rasei'is'eag"valve made aeeessibie thi-eeen eine peter covering' 'fiifor'the'lileThus, appropriate prefs? sure having been produced in all oi thecelisflia oftiie e'veilee ii severeirepaei wir @fredda-ny be iiriieriii- 'ip et Aby eieeiiiie of the air in "t rough the ports 39 to ad 'oveindicated. y u i .Y 'se oi 'fiirth'er protecting the bereit "`s'"S"Cliae. s, "esp 'orally freni pact with a vbin-mig' f f ded around the irei" v 4 and'odtsde tneA'pneurea l y 2t.. "rifas, 'e bane d2 tme. in fromtrie mieeiie jor the 'nose 'member "i2 reV ward around the hea-d heetstetrie rie-eerie openings -29 tetue seiei; r, asin r;-

will particularly guard against'ubasal fracture of the 'sie'ii stehsteer eef-nes rz 'sind' iiieyte, for Verrinple, half-i'eh, vii'at, g'steel bands 'aerien-'s 'e thickness, i i 1e eze 76. to .'o's'iiie'ii.The' tviiipreviiie desir. iejspijirigy iiii'ier 'guards te presser neidri'iy u ser irre head butv also the nose and eyes. "Siici ring bands'seri/fe 'the further se "of preventie-g iipverd'es'iedeiiiet er tirenose merisier lr, es

by a grazing upper-cut, which dislodgment would obstruct vision.

For proper retention of the helmet upon the wearers head, any suitableform of retainer band 5E, adapted to pass under the Wearers chin, may beused. This may, for example, be a leather strap Whose ends are affixedin tabs 52 secured to the lining 22 as illustrated. Y n Instead ofemploying. the form of `construction at the front of theno'selmerrrfloer in Fig. 3, Where the nose member is relatively thick,the immediate forward portion may be made relatively thinuby taperingofi the air cells 24a at the 'sides' f the-rise as shown in Fig. 6, andrelying (upon the spring band 42 or 44 to protect the nose further,especially the bridge.

To assemble the helmet described, or to remove the pneumatic envelope24, the lacings 21,

39; :and 32 will be removed, and the portions of the lining 22 at theVentilating and hearing openings 2e wili be drawn inward', sothat the 24may bev moved 'upward' through the botto "opening 2'6 and the'v upeervlote thereof es d fever trie imi/'army iiitm iiiiiiig. pertio'ns, 'theiower ieee being passed new -rd-betwee' 'the lower portions ci thelining 22e-arie the cove' iig 2a. 'rrii'sf'resuits ifi proper in"-sraiiatien 'or the lrenvelope ifi,v whereupon trie' irri*- ing 2,2pressed out mio cperaitiveipos 7iny siioivn, 'th-'e corresponding'portions being Iforded out th"- hgh the Ventiiatingfai'id hearing been#ings and lniieiaiif of tri-e ieeiirgsz, es 32' being in'staile'd 'asillustrated. illis'tr te theope i--igs 28 and 2'9 preierahlyhave .iraiiwidths notgreatly Tei'cee'diigtviieth thickness of the lh'elrr'ie't in'order 'to'fisure afdeq'iiate protect-l tion tc the correspondingexposed portions f the head.

yvarious appropriate materials, einer tn'anftrise fdicated may be einplayedy iii :the construct tire fdiirerent-psrts or the neiinetga-sseein best suites for the respective "rpeses,

The eh'velopefa'ndy outer ndih'rcove'rig-s .will be fermes in'appropriate sizes '1e-iid =s`iia,es necessary toiaecmmodatevarius`vearers. If desired, mee'nveiepewra rality or :separate '"scthated-such `asia'ii'-'11" r section Ia d a lower set'-V tiori, er aieri/'aiA afa fseitio'irfe rearward neemI Sec'tiqmand a v'lower section,as 'i 4 in Fig-- 7 the dotted -liri'ee (earch s'c ion having' its' owninflationl value es 'erre' providing rer s aiier; ent'` pressure'therein if required.

It is therefore intended -to co'ver yall -firiodi'ations which 'fallvWithin the scope "of the patent claims.

I claim as my invention:

y1. in athletic heinet: 'a epp'ei e'ushiniig head r'rl'riflloe-r hav'ngforward, top, back iandlsd. portions to prtect the fforelieadtop, backand sidesof a 'wearers skull; acushiniri'g's I'n'ilbe'r s'ec'urd to 'theside portions df said' head? member and extending forward to l'iealongside thejweereifs cheek tenes nd eX'tei-ie across in front or suchcheek fb' --pesiiiensin Yfrom: ff

erfreuen seis iiese member 2eine siti-e ena beirf acogen? portions ofsaid head member shock.

3. A helmet as in claim l wherein said vision opening is narrow, saidnose and head members are of substantial thickness to afford cushioningeffects, said members having, at opposite sides of said vision opening,opposed inclined walls which diverge outward to avoid closelyoverhanging and underlying outer portions of said members and alfor'dclear vision upward and downward.

4. In combination in a helmet: a head member having forward, top, backand side por-tions to protect the forehead, top, back and sides of awearers skull; a nose member secured to the side portions of said headmember and extending forward therefrom to a position below said forwardportion of the head member and to lie at the front of a wearers nose toprotect the nose, said members thereby providing between them atransverse vision opening above the nose member, said head and nosemembers having inner and outer wall elements providing between them achamber; and a separate pneumatic envelope disposed in said chamberbetween said wall elements to provide a cushion for protecting thewearers skull and nose against impact.

5. A combination as in claim 4 wherein said pneumatic envelope isprovided with a plurality of partitions dividing it into a plurality ofair cells.

6. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said partitions are provided withbleeder passages between adjacent cells for retarded iiow of air toassist cushioning of impacts.

7. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the bottom edges of said innerand outer wall elements are detachably connected to provide for passageof said envelope to and from said chamber.

8. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the bottom edges of said innerand outer wall elements are detachably connected to provide for passageof said envelope to and from said chamber, and openings are provided inthe top and sides of said head member for ventilation and hearing, andsaid inner and outer wall elements are detachably connected at theopenings to provide for installation of said envelope in said chamberand removal therefrom.

9. A combination as in claim 4 wherein ventilation and hearing openingsare provided in said head member which do not greatly exceed in widthtwice the thickness of said head member with its pneumatic envelopewhereby to protect adjacent parts of the wearers head from impactingobjects.

10. A combination as in claim 4 including a cushioning resilient metalband extending through said nose member and around the sides and back ofsaid head member.

11. In a helmet: a cushioning head member to protect a wearers skull; atransverse nose member solidly connected to side portions of said headmember against upward and downward to cushion impact movement relativeto said head member and extending forward therefrom and having a portionpositioned to lie in front of and protect the wearers nose and portionspositioned to lie alongside and protect the wearers cheek bones, suchnose portion lying below an overhanging portion of said head member toprovide a transverse vision opening, and cushioning resilient metalmeans extending through said nose member and around the sides and backof said head member for maintaining the position of said nose member andguarding the back of the wearers skull against impact on knockdowns.

12. In a helmet: a cushioning head member to protect a wearers skull; atransverse nose member connected to side portions of said head memberand extending forward therefrom and having a portion positioned to liein front of and protect the wearers nose and portions positioned to liealongside and protect the wearers cheek bones, s'uch nose portion lyingbelow an overhanging portion of said head member to provide a transversevision opening; cushioning resilient metal means extending through saidnose member and around the sides and back of said head member formaintaining the position of said nose member and guarding the back ofthe wearers skull against impact on knockdowns, said head member andnose member having inner and outer wall means providing a chamberbetween them; and a separate sealed cellular, pneumatic envelopedisposed between said inner and outer wall means and serving to cushionimpact.

13. In a helmet: a cushioning head member to protect a wearers skull; atransverse nose member connected to side portions of said head memberand extending forward therefrom and having a portion positioned to liein front of and protect the wearers nose and portions positioned to liealongside and protect the wearers cheek bones, such nose portion lyingbelow an overhanging portion of said head member to provide a transversevision opening, said head member and nose member having inner and outerwall means providing a chamber between them; and a separate, sealed,cellular, pneumatic envelope disposed between said wall means andserving to cushion impact on said head member and on said nose member atsaid nose and cheek bone positions.

JOHN W. NICHOLS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,887,636 Hamby Nov. 15, 1932 2,194,903 Holstein Mar. 26, 19402,364,571 Turner Dee. 5, 1944 2,525,389 Zeller Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 142,987 Great Britain May 20, 1920

